After this week's first snowfall of the year, it's obvious that winter is on its way and it’s time to warm up with some delicious autumn treats. Coffee shops, restaurants and dessert spots are pulling out their limited-edition items for the spooky season. If you’re a pumpkin-lover, you have to try these fall favorites.
1. Starbucks
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is a classic. This signature espresso drink includes a fall flavor combination of pumpkin (of course!), nutmeg, clove and cinnamon. This year, Starbucks introduced a new drink for the holiday season -- The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. It's a perfect option for coffee-drinkers who prefer a holiday drink that's not too sweet. Whether you enjoy your drinks hot or cold, both options are perfect ways to satisfy your pumpkin craving.
2. Colectivo
Just a few weeks ago, Colectivo made their Spiced Apple Cider available for the holiday season. The popular coffee shop uses locally sourced cider combined with their own unique mix of spices. Stop into any Colectivo to try this fall-favorite, seasonal specialty.
3. Espresso Royal
This month, Espresso Royale introduced a brand new mocha flavor for fall. Their Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Mocha is infused with pumpkin and sweetened with condensed milk. This is a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth during the months of October and November.
4. Grace Coffee Co.
One of State Street's newest gems, Grace Coffee Co., added a Pumpkin Peanut Butter Açaí bowl to their menu. Just like their classic bowls, it features a blended açaí base topped with granola, berries and coconut flakes. But this limited edition bowl includes an additional pumpkin peanut butter drizzle on top. Beyond being absolutely delicious, it is extremely photogenic and Insta-worthy.
5. Greenbush Bakery
Greenbush Bakery recently brought back a fall favorite: Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Filled Donuts. Due to popular demand, the bakery has made them available from now until Thanksgiving. The classic raised donut filled with pumpkin spice buttercream and topped with vanilla frosting is definitely a must-try. I recommend getting one before they run out!
6. Insomnia Cookies
A perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit is with Insomnia Cookies' new Peanut Butter Chocolate-Lantern Cookie. This double chocolate festive cookie has creamy peanut butter chips baked inside of it and pumpkin sprinkles on top. If you eat it when it's fresh and hot, you'll taste the "gooey" deliciousness of the melted chocolate and peanut butter.
7. Einstein Bros. Bagels
There's no better way to embrace autumn than to start your day with a pumpkin bagel. Einstein Bros. Bagels offers freshly baked Pumpkin and Pumpkin Walnut Crunch Bagels during fall. These bagels pair perfectly with their limited edition Pumpkin Shmear. You can never have too much pumpkin!
8. Gigi's Cupcakes
Gigi's Cupcakes is kicking off fall with three cupcake flavors for pumpkin season. One of these is their Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake. The pumpkin cake topped with vanilla bean frosting, a caramel glaze, pumpkin pie spice and crystalized sugar is to die for. Gigi's Cupcakes also offers gluten-free versions of these desserts.
9. Merchant
The downtown farm-to-table restaurant, Merchant, uses various local ingredients to make seasonal dishes. This fall, they are offering Challah French Toast with poached plum, Novello, whipped cream, candied bacon and smoked maple syrup. This decadent breakfast plate combines seasonal flavors with ingredients from the Madison area to make sure that you truly embrace the fall spirits.
10. Graze Restaurant
Tucked up close to the capital, Graze is another farm-to-table spot with autumnal treats, such as the Maple Pecan Cider Croissants. These pastries are a textural dream with a combination of light and flakey dough and crunchy pecans crushed on top.
Autumn is quickly coming to an end so make sure to get these goodies while you can. Luckily for you, though, there’s certainly no shortage of fall treats around Madison.